psa LIGHT UP Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening Mask
Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Astaxanthin + 1 moreWorks well
“Packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, collagen supporting Vitamin E (2%), antioxidant L-Ascorbic Acid (11%), and antimicrobial Grapeseed Oil.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: astaxanthin.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneAscorbic acidWorks well
“Together, the hard-working ingredients even your skin tone, tackle blemish marks and give your skin the ultimate glow up.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Helianthus annuus seed wax + 3 moreWorks
“Packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, collagen supporting Vitamin E (2%), antioxidant L-Ascorbic Acid (11%), and antimicrobial Grapeseed Oil.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, hyaluronic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: helianthus annuus seed wax, vitis vinifera seed oil.
Anti-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Together, the hard-working ingredients even your skin tone, tackle blemish marks and give your skin the ultimate glow up.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Astaxanthin + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, astaxanthin) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Ascorbic acidMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Glycerin~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinHelianthus annuus seed wax~5.1–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency
More about Helianthus annuus seed waxPolyglyceryl-10 tristearate~4.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateDimethyl isosorbide~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideVitis vinifera seed oil~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateAstaxanthin~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation
More about AstaxanthinHyaluronic acid~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer-3~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolysorbate 20~0.15–0.7%
Water~0.1–0.45%
Ascorbic acid11%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidVitis vinifera seed oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilIngredient list view
Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Polyglyceryl-10 tristearate, Tocopheryl acetate, Dimethyl isosorbide, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Astaxanthin, Hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer-3, Caprylyl glycol, Polysorbate 20, Water, Ascorbic acid, Vitis vinifera seed oil
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| psaLIGHT UP Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening MaskYOUR PRODUCT | PSA SkinLIGHT UP Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening Mask | Purposeful Skincare by Allies (PSA)Light Up Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening Mask | OptimumVitamin C Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 96% | 81% |
| Price | — | $26.83 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Hyaluronate | Sodium Hyaluronate | Ceramide Ap |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: MAGICSTRIPES Lifting Collagen MaskPacifica Beauty Super Green Detox Kale and Charcoal Face Mask
Product summary
"psa - LIGHT UP Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening Mask" is effective for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (11.00% (declared)) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Humectants (hyaluronic acid 0.60% - 1.40% and glycerin 22.00% - 33.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 41.30CA$ in Canada, for 79.34A$ in Australia, for 32.25$ in the United States and from 24.59£ up to 41.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
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